The Aborigines lived as nomads, moving as the availability of food changed during the seasons. The temperature and climate varied a lot in different parts of the country, and therefore the Aborigines around the country lived in different ways. They had separated cultures, languages, etc. But, there were some similarities between the different tribes. For starters, their beliefs and spiritual connection to the land. They believe that their spiritual ancestors came to earth as humans and other forms to shape the land, plants and animals they way we know them today. This is explained by the ‘Dreamtime’-stories. The ‘Dreamtime’ refers to ‘the time before time’ or ‘the time of creation of all things’. The Aborigines believe that their ancestor’s spirits still are alive today, in the form they changed into at the end of the ‘Dreamtime’.
Aboriginal men with boomerangs.
The Aborigines have a deep understanding of the world around them. The plants, trees, animals and everything the nature offer is their special field. That’s why they have survived for such many millennia. They know exactly how to use the nature to secure sustainable development, and were experts at adapting to new natural lands.
Another cultural similarity among the aborigines was the hunting. When hunting, the aborigines used arrows, javelins and, of course, the boomerang. The boomerang was made out of wood from a so-called “throwing-tree”, and was able to be thrown almost a hundred meters! Usually, the boomerang was used for hunting birds. It is very hard to master boomerang-throwing. It may even take years of practice!
The didgeridoo is a famous intrument played in the Aboriginal culture. Here is Jeremy Donovan, an Aboriginal artist playing the characteristic instrument:
The Aborigines lived as nomads, moving as the availability of food changed during the seasons. The temperature and climate varied a lot in different parts of the country, and therefore the Aborigines around the country lived in different ways. They had separated cultures, languages, etc. But, there were some similarities between the different tribes. For starters, their beliefs and spiritual connection to the land. They believe that their spiritual ancestors came to earth as humans and other forms to shape the land, plants and animals they way we know them today. This is explained by the ‘Dreamtime’-stories. The ‘Dreamtime’ refers to ‘the time before time’ or ‘the time of creation of all things’. The Aborigines believe that their ancestor’s spirits still are alive today, in the form they changed into at the end of the ‘Dreamtime’.
The Aborigines have a deep understanding of the world around them. The plants, trees, animals and everything the nature offer is their special field. That’s why they have survived for such many millennia. They know exactly how to use the nature to secure sustainable development, and were experts at adapting to new natural lands.
Another cultural similarity among the aborigines was the hunting. When hunting, the aborigines used arrows, javelins and, of course, the boomerang. The boomerang was made out of wood from a so-called “throwing-tree”, and was able to be thrown almost a hundred meters! Usually, the boomerang was used for hunting birds. It is very hard to master boomerang-throwing. It may even take years of practice!
The didgeridoo is a famous intrument played in the Aboriginal culture. Here is Jeremy Donovan, an Aboriginal artist playing the characteristic instrument:
Sources
"The Aborigines" by Maria Skar Knutsen 2008.
"Indigenous Australians" by Wikipedia. Last edited: 31 May 2010.
"Aboriginal Australia" by Ricco Villanueva Siasoco 2007.
"Aboriginer" by Wikipedia. Last edited: 18 May 2010.
"Australian Aboriginal Culture" by Wikipedia. Last edited: 25 May 2010.
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/cimages/boomerangs.jpg